How to Launch and Grow a Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio program that features content as sound recordings,

typically serialized or a series of associated programs. People listen to them on portable

media players and mobile phones, over the Internet, and in cars. In the 2010s, podcasts were increasingly offered as online streaming media. A podcast is a fantastic approach to

establishing a sincere rapport with your listeners and keeping them expanding over time.

They will grow to know the person behind the voice as they routinely listen to you, and

that connection encourages them to return for more. Thanks to podcasting, your favorite

show is yours to take with you and listen to whenever you want. It makes television more

individualized and on demand. This distinguishes it from broadcasting. As a result, one

needs to be careful and creative when launching a podcast. This paper will discuss how to

launch and grow a podcast. The stage of building a podcast includes;

Planning and Preparation

Launching a podcast can be one of the most rewarding things if one plans what to

focus on. Many areas need to be considered before launch day arrives, from deciding on the equipment needed and the desired end goal through pre-production, recording sessions, and post-production (Gray, 2022). When starting a podcast, you will need to consider what niche you want it to take and how long you plan to produce episodes. Depending on how much time you want to invest into podcasting is also how much planning you will need to do.

Choosing a Niche

Choosing a niche can be a great way to have success with your podcast. Finding

topics that closely relate to your niche can help you gain listeners from other shows with

the same topics. If no one is covering the subjects, you would like to discuss; this could be

an option for you when starting.

Organizing the episode systematically

It is time to consider the episodes themselves after deciding on the content you want

to release in your podcast and planning and preparing it. The duration of each episode is

thus something to think about while looking at how to start a podcast. Each episode should be at least one hour long to prevent listeners from becoming disinterested (Gray, 2022). The delay between episodes being released should also be taken into account. Note that listeners dislike waiting for long periods. In this stage, one should also choose attractive names for the titles so that more people are attracted to watch what is contained in those videos.

Recording and Equipment

To start a podcast, one requires, at the very least, recording equipment. To record a

podcast, you only really need a computer with a USB microphone and internet

connectivity. However, as a rule of thumb, your show's sound and audio clarity will be

constrained the more constrained and inexpensive your setup and equipment will be. 

Podcast Editing and Production

This is where you fix errors, combine audio clips, add music or FX, and make sure

everything sounds amazing with EQ, leveling compression, and other tools. Podcast editing

and production is a comprehensive way to help you create a compelling, professional, and

awesome podcast. There are post-production facilities with audio engineers and freelance

professionals willing to work remotely on your podcast.

Publishing and Promotion

This is the final stage of launching your podcast. This phase involves putting the

final touches to prepare the podcast for its viewers. In promotion, the owner of podcasts

looks for ways to familiarize the public with their content, which makes it interesting to

watch (Gray, 2022).

How to Grow Your Podcast?

1. Be strategic with your show's name

Because it generates the most revenue for the podcast crew, the show's name is of

the utmost importance. If your podcast has a clever title, it is easier for listeners to find you. The podcast should be named after anything that the ideal listener is interested in to attract more attention (Ways to grow a podcast audience, 2020). One is encouraged to consider their deal listener when coming up with a name for their podcast. This demonstrates one's commitment to the listeners and makes it simpler to discover them online.

2. Plan out your content

The information must be engaging and tailored to the intended audience. You will

not be dissatisfied with the ROI if you take the time to prepare episodes that are helpful

and jam-packed with pertinent information (Ways to grow a podcast audience, 2020). Viewers will not subscribe to your show if the content is bad. Thought-provoking and useful

material must be planned, but you must also produce it. After a few preparation sessions, it

should get simpler to identify themes that your audience would enjoy.

3. Prepare a launch promotion plan

Ask your friends, family, your entire workplace, and your network to watch the

show before it premieres to build its reputation. If possible, get them to give the episode a

rating on Apple Podcasts. Consider awarding a handful of the individuals who leave

ratings with prizes like an Air pod or a book. Ratings make your show appear more

reputable to prospective customers and also assist you in ranking effectively for search

queries within Apple Podcasts. Many people mistakenly believe their show's debut marks the end of the road when it only marks the beginning.

4. Establish cross-promotions with related podcasts

To bring your program in front of more ideal listeners, look for shows identical to

yours with comparable audiences that are prepared to trade promotion spaces. If you have a podcast, it is essential to set up cross-promotions with other podcasts in the same niche or industry (Ways to Grow a Podcast Audience, 2020). One of the most valuable ways to build your audience is by having guests on your show. This phase will not be as successful for brand-new programs with minimal listenership. You must be able to transition to cross-

promoting after seeing success with the other advice in this post.

5. Pay To Promote Your Content

One can gain new listeners by purchasing advertising time on a popular television

show with the audience you are seeking to reach. Use a tool like SparkToro to discover

other shows that are similar to yours. With the help of this tool, it is simple to enter

keywords and locate relevant programs, blogs, and media channels. Make your

advertisement on another podcast last for at least a month's worth of episodes if you intend to do so. For people to remember to watch your show, they need to hear about it

frequently.

In conclusion, podcast production is one of the most exciting and rewarding forms

of online content. However, when launching a podcast, it is necessary to plan for the whole

process carefully to succeed. One must be creative in producing the content since the target market wants something unique. Podcasts are one of the most popular forms of

entertainment, but not everyone knows what it takes to be a professional podcaster.

References

Gray, C. (2022) How to start a podcast: Your lightning fast, no-sweat guide for 2022, The

Podcast Host. Available at: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/planning/how-to-start-

a-podcast/ (Accessed: December 1, 2022).

Ways to grow a podcast audience (2020) Sweet Fish Media. Available at:

https://sweetfishmedia.com/grow-a-podcast-audience/ (Accessed: December 1, 2022).